Chinese Zodiac
The Twelve Animals
A 12-year cycle of animals, each carrying its own personality, element, and story. The Chinese zodiac — also celebrated across East and Southeast Asia — has shaped how millions understand themselves, their relationships, and the year ahead.
Explore Each Sign
Action & Ambition
Patience & Precision
Courage & Loyalty
How the Chinese Zodiac Works
The 12-Year Cycle
Each year is assigned one of 12 animals in a fixed order. Your birth year determines your primary zodiac animal — the lens through which the tradition reads your personality, strengths, and life patterns.
Five Elements
Layered on top is a 10-year elemental cycle — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water. Each element pairs with each animal twice, creating 60 unique variations before the full cycle repeats.
Explore the elements →Lunar Calendar
The zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not January 1. Born in January or February? Your animal may belong to the previous year. Our calculator handles this automatically.
Compatibility
Each animal has natural allies and rivals. Some signs harmonize effortlessly; others push each other to grow. The four trines above show which animals share the deepest natural affinity.
Read the guide →Which animal are you?
Enter your birth date to discover your Chinese zodiac animal, element, and polarity.
Find My Sign